Connected strip of fastener units



y 20, 1952 J. c. LANG 2,597,343

CONNECTED STRIP OF FASTENER UNITS Filed Dec. 21, 1945 INVENTOR .Jbseph C. La

ATTORNEYS Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES P CONNECTED STRIP OF FASTENER UNITS Joseph C. Lang, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Bocjl Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application December 21, 1945, Serial No. 636,467

11 Claims.

This invention relates to headed driven fasteners and to their manufacture, and is for a fastener made from strip metal and which may be in a form adapted to be individually separated from the strip in the operation of setting or driving the fasteners, or which may be separated from the strip at any time before driving. The present application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 549,564, filed August 15, 1944 now abandoned.

Driven fasteners, such as nails and tacks made as individual units do not adapt themselves to use with drivers having a magazine for holding a supply of the fasteners. They are of a shape that does not lend itself well to compact packaging and a magazine arranged to hold a number of them must be quite large to have any considerable capacity. Moreover, it requires complicated and intricate arrangements to handle, feed and drive them as individual units.

The present invention provides a novel form of fastener made from strip metal. It also provides a connected strip of fastener units which may be made and used as strips of predetermined length, or prepared and used in long lengths rolled up on a reel. The individual fasteners are compactly disposed with relation to one another in the strip, and there is practically no metal wasted in their manufacture. The strip may be conveniently used in drivers having a simple feed mechanism for feeding strip material and are economical and efiicient.

The invention further provides a novel method of forming the individual fasteners from strip material.

' My invention maybe readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments thereof are shown and in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a strip of fasteners;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the strip shown in Fig. 1;

3 is a perspective view of a portion of the strip with the leg of one fastener turned down; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a single fastener unit;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 1 of a slightly modified form; s

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 of a slightly modified and presently preferred form of strip;

Fig. 7 is a similar plan view of another modification providing for an enlarged head portion;-

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a staple made from the blank of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of still another form of strip, providing a double spiked tack; and

Fig. 10 is .a view similar to Fig. 4 of a single fastener made from the blank of Fig. 8.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 13., the strip of fastenersis formed from a narrow strip or ribbon of metal, designated generally as 2. At regular intervals the metal is slit longitudinally, the longitudinal slit being designated 3. One end 4 of each slit is formed diagonally 'of the strip, the diagonal portion of the slit extending from one side edge inwardly to the longitudinal portion. Each longitudinal slit extends from the inner end of the diagonal slit to about a a point in transverse alignment with the outer end of the next diagonal slit. Thus the slits form a succession of prong or leg elements 5 joined to head or bar portions 1. The diagonal .slits 4 result in a point 8 being formed on the free end of each leg.

At regular intervals, midway between the connecting portions "I are indentations 9 defining the length of each bar or head portion and indicating the point of severance of the fasteners.

As thus formed, the ribbon has a continuously extending strip or longitudinal section comprised of the bar or head portion 6, indented at 9, this longitudinal section having leg portions joined thereto at regular intervals, one leg being joined to a head midway between the indentations. The legs are parallel with the heads, and of the same length, but they are staggered or offset a distance equal to half the length of the leg, so that the indentations 9 are preferably always about midway between the diagonal slits 4.-

To completethe forming of a fastener, the leg portions are bent downwardly, perpendicular to the original plane of the ribbon or strip. Such downwardly turned legs are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and a singleturned down leg is shown in Fig. 3. Normally the turning down'of the legs is performed progressively, each blank in turn having its leg turned down just before it is severed and driven. A driver for accomplishing this result is described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 634,537,

filed December 12, 1945 now Patent 'No. 2,580,444

issued January 1, 1952.

After the leg of the fastener has been turned down, the strip is severed at the indentation to form the fastener shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the same reference numerals have been used as in the preceding figures. The fastener has a leg 5 connected to a head or bar portion 6, by a connection 7 at about the middle of the bar;

3 The grain of the metal in the leg is lengthwise of the leg, and the metal in the bend is bent crosswise of the grain so that the metal is not excessively strained in being bent. The leg of the fastener is pointed. The head of the fastener is offset to one side of the leg, as distinguished from a usual fastener in which the head is usually centered over the leg. This increases the hold down area of the fastener head, making it less likely to pull or cut through the material into which it is driven.

In Fig. 1 the longitudinal slits 3 are on the center line of the ribbon. Fig. 5 illustrates that this is not necessary and that where one part is to be wider, transversely, than the other, the slits may be off center. The structures being otherwise the same, the same reference numerals have been employed.

Fig. 6 shows the same general form of strip as that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and corresponding reference numerals are used to designate the corresponding parts. The only difference is that instead of being provided on one ,face of the strip with indentations 9, the continuous edge of the strip is notched at 9a, these notches being of a ratchet-like shape having one sloping edge and one transverse edge as shown. These notches are in the same relative location as the indentations 9 of. Fig. l. The slope of the edges of the notches is rearwardly from the leading end of the strip and the legs point toward the leading end. This particular edge notch may be used on any of the other modifications herein shown.

Figs. '7 and 8 show a strip generally the same as that shown in Fig. 6, there being one edge of the strip provided with leg forming portions It, being formed by slitting as hereinbefore described. The continuous side ll of the strip is slit longitudinally at regular intervals, the mid point of each slit falling midway'between the points [2 where the legs join the continuous strip. These slits are then expanded into openings l3. Indexing notches may be formed in the middle of the outwardly bowed body of metal H which is thus formed, and these notches are designated l5. There may be also, or alternatively, indexing notches at [5a.

When the looped portionof this strip is severed transversely in the planes of the lines X--X, each fastener so formed has a K-shaped head instead of a single solid cross bar, which head, as in the other form, is elongated in the direction of the length of the strip, and the grain of the metal is lengthwise of the head. This form of fastener may be desirable where it is desired that the head spread over a greater area than the straight cross bar.

' In Figs. 9 and 10 the fastener again is generally the same as in the other embodiments, there being one continuous edge portion 20 which is notched at 2| with indexing notches. The other edge is slitted as hereinbefore described to provide a spike forming element 22 joined to the strip at 23. Additionally, however, the spike itself is bifurcated to provide two similar legs that may turn away from each other when the fastener penetrates the substance-into which it is driven. In Fig. 9 the section'of a punch P for forming the end portion of the bifurcated spike is shown. The completed fastener is shown in Fig. 10. By making the leg widen-additional slits may be provided to form several prongs.

In the several embodiments which I have illustrated the strip has a'continuous portion, preferably along one edge, and has a succession of leg or spike forming elements along one edge, the spike forming portion being parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strip and being separated therefrom by a longitudinally extending slit which at the free end of the spike extends generally crosswise to the edge of the strip. The strip is provided with indexing notches marking the places, preferably about midway of the length of the legs, where the successive blanks are to be separated.

In each case there is formed from each blank in the strip a fastener of generally T-shaped form with the leg Or spike forming element being at one side of the head and being bent downwardly transversely of the strip and the grain of the metal. The top of each leg, where it merges into the cross bar, is flat with the top of the cross bar so that driving pressure may be applied to the leg directly as well as to the cross bar or elongated head of the fastener.

The fasteners are made without waste of metal except in Figs. 9 and 10, where there is only a very little bit of waste. The strip can be conveniently handled and is designed for use primarily in a tool having a magazine for holding a considerable length or coil of the prepared strip and in which the spike or leg forming elements are bent downwardly to the perpendicular position in the operation of the machine. However the fasteners themselves are of unique and novel construction. The bending of the leg about an axis transverse to the length of the strip and the grain of the metal avoids excessive straining or weakening of the metal. The elongated head is useful for giving extended holding surface in many instances where a large round head could not be used, as for example, in certain operations of upholstering. The leg being pointed at the end and then parallel or nearly parallel in all edges or sides, is adapted to being guided by supporting surfaces in the driving tool. The joining of the leg or spike element into the side of the head provides for the application of driving pressure at the top of the spike or leg portion.

It will be understood that various elements of the several modifications may be interchangeably arranged,.as for example, the K-shaped head or the bifurcated spike, or the edge or face notching of the strips are features which can all be combined or interchanged as may be desirable.

I claim: a

1. A strip of connected tack forming blanks comprising a length of narrow strip metal having one edge transversely and longitudinally slit in a manner to provide a succession of spike elements parallel with the axis. of the ribbon, the transverse portions of the slits shaping the points of the spikes, the longitudinal portion shaping one edge of the spike, the other portion of the strip parallel with the spikes being substantially continuous, the continuous portion of the strip being slitted and expanded to form a succession of open loops therein, the transverse centers of the loops being longitudinally intermediate the leg forming portions. I

2. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks comprising a length of narrow metal strip having a row of aligned longitudinal slits parallel to one edge spaced uniformly therealong and a diagonal slit extending inwardly from said one edge only to one end only of each longitudinal slit, all said diagonal slits being parallel, whereby the portion of said edge defined by one diagonal slit and its adj oininglongitudinal slit, when bent at right angles to the strip, forms a pointed spike for which the portions of the other edge adjacent the spike constitute the head, the unsevered metal between adjacent longitudinal slits serving to unite the head of each blank with its spike.

3. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as defined by claim 2 characterized by indexing means regularly spaced along said other edge.

4. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as defined by claim 2 characterized by said other edge having notches in staggered relation with said diagonal slits forming points of easy severance between adjacent; blanks.

5. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as defined by claim 2 characterized by said spike being split longitudinally from its entering end.

6. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as defined by claim 2 characterized by the other edge being slit longitudinally in spaced portions and expanded laterally to form a succession of open loops.

7. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as defined by claim 2 characterized by said other edge being a substantially continuously extend-,

ing ribbon.

8. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as:

defined by claim 4 characterized by said notches being V-shaped, each being defined by an edge transverse to the axis of the strip and an edge inclined thereto.

9. A fastener strip comprising a ribbon of metal having a continuous band extending along one side edge thereof, the other edge of the strip having a succession of slits that extend diagonally inwardly toward the continuous band and then in a generally longitudinal direction to form a succession of leg elements, the inner terminus of each slit being in approximately transverse alignment with the open end of the next succeeding slit, each leg element being attached to said band by the metal at the closed end of each slit, all of the leg elements pointing in the same direction.

10. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks comprising a length of narrow metal strip having a continuous connecting body of metal which is 6 intended to be ultimately severed at intervals but which serves to join the continuous succession of blanks, one marginal edge of the strip adjacent the-connected body being slit at regular intervals with diagonally and longitudinally extending slits all of which extend in the same direction and all of which open at the same end of the slit through the edge of the strip, thereby providing a strip of like leg-forming portions which may subsequently be bent at right angles to the strip to form pointed spikes, each leg portion in the strip before it is so bent having its free pointed end terminating adjacent the opposite end of the next leg-forming portion and separated therefrom by the slit.

11. A strip of connected tack-forming blanks as defined by claim 10 wherein said continuous portion is weakened for ease of shearing at regula r intervals with a weakened portion being located intermediate the length of each leg-forming portion so that the weakened portions are staggered with reference to the points of the adjacent leg-forming elements.

JOSEPH C. LANG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 301,126 Jordan July 1, 1884 302,534 Jordan July 22, 1884 389,154 Jordan Sept. 4, 1888 515,156 Nilsson Feb. 20, 1894 673,216 Morehouse Apr. 30, 1901 1,197,291 Holter Sept. 5, 1916 1,336,629 Kembark Apr. 13, 1920 1,400,756 Mackenzie Dec. 20, 1921 1,651,392 Honigbaum Dec. 6, 1927 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 544,862 Great Britain Apr. 30, 1942 798,969 France Mar. 14, 1936 

